Spiritual Disciplines and Practices

1. CS 510 Spiritual Disciplines and Practices

2. If . . . • If the purpose of the church is to love and obey God and to love people, then this mandate also becomes the purpose of intentional disciples of Jesus—the Head of the Church. • If Christian spirituality leads to the realization of the unique self that God envisions each one to become, then each disciple must learn to look at self deeply, while remaining in relation to God and others.

3. If . . . • If Christian spiritual formation refers to the intentional, communal process of growing in relationship with God and, through the intentionality of God, becoming conformed to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, then disciples learn to pay attention to God in order to respond to God while paying attention to oneself and one’s chosen practices and disciplines.

4. Then . . . • Based on biblical images of spiritual formation, disciples pay attention to a variety of responses: • The Vine and the branches (Jn 15) – In what or in whom am I abiding? • The Potter and the clay (Is 64:8) – Who or what is shaping me? • Hunger and thirst (Mt 5:6) – What is the source of my longings?

5. Then . . . • The practices of Christian spirituality become more responsive in nature rather than stagnating in a sanctifying process characterized by human striving. • “The practices of faith are not ultimately our own practices but rather habitations of the Spirit, in the midst of which we are invited to participate in the practices of God”—Craig Dykstra

6. Assessment Tools • Fruit of the Spirit • Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, meekness, faithfulness, self-control • To consider: What may be blocking the healthy growth of the Spirit’s fruit in life and character?

7. Assessment Tools • Gifts of the Spirit • Particular gifts are discovered and strengthened • Other spiritual attributes are also practiced and developed • After a while, the more balanced spirituality reveals an ever-growing responsiveness to God as disciples are being conformed to the image of the Christ

8. Assessment Tools • Spiritual Disciplines • Practices that strengthen apprentices of Jesus as they move toward spiritual balance • Practices that are habit-forming in a spiritually healthy way and move from “discipline” toward a more well-rounded spiritual lifestyle • We will begin with the “Inward Disciplines” although it is good to remember that all of the disciplines are holistic in nature.

9. The Inward Disciplines

14. Meditation • What do you think of when you hear or see the word “meditation”? • An attempt to define • A long, ardent gaze at God, God’s work, and God’s word • The giving of one’s undivided attention to God • The ability to hear God’s voice and obey God’s word

15. Meditation • Why should disciples meditate? • God desires fellowship, communion, and relationship • The practice of meditation creates sacred space—construction by Christ of the inner sanctuary which is continually present, no matter the circumstances • Spiritual formation depends on the ability to hear and obey

16. Meditation • “Meditation has no point and no reality unless it is firmly rooted in life”—Thomas Merton • “True godliness does not turn men out of the world, but enables them to live better in it and excites their endeavors to mend it”—William Penn • The practice of meditation • Spiritual Classics (6-7, 11-12) • Spiritual Disciplines (172ff)